Licenses

​Retail Liquor Store

120 Day Temporary
Authorizes a person who purchases or otherwise acquires a retail business, which is licensed to sell retail liquor at the business, upon initiating the application process, may be issued a temporary liquor license.

• In addition to the Requirements and Qualifications for a Retail Liquor License, the following must be submitted to obtain a 120 Day Temporary Retail Liquor License:
1. The existing business must have a biennial license that has not expired, been suspended or revoked. This license must be attached with the completed ABL-901 application.
2. A $25.00 fee is required for each temporary license requested.
3. Attach a copy of the bill of sale, lease, probate document, divorce decree, eviction order, or document showing how the business was acquired.
4. Be sure to include the Retail Sales Tax License number on the ABL-901 application.

Qualifications

Authorizes the sale of liquor "to-go" only. These licenses are issued to retail locations for the sale of alcoholic liquors and/or wines containing up to 21% alcohol by volume.

• An applicant must be 21 years of age, be of good moral character, be a legal resident of the United States and if applying as a sole proprietor, must be a legal resident of South Carolina for 30 days prior to submitting an application to this department.
• The applicant must be the owner of the business seeking the license and must not previously have had a license revoked within the past five years.
• All principals, officers, agents, and employees listed on the license must be over the age of 21 and be of good moral character. A current criminal history background check of not more than 90 days old, on each principal, officer, and employee must accompany this application.
• Please check with the city and/or county authorities to ensure you are in compliance with zoning laws and local business license requirements.
• Tax Liabilities: A license or permit cannot be issued if the applicant of any principal has any outstanding tax liabilities with the SCDOR.
• Sign Posting:
1. An agent of the SC State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) must post and remove a sign at the proposed place of business.
2. This sign must remain posted for at least 15 days, and may be removed only by the SLED agent. If the sign disappears before the SLED agent removes it, contact the SCDOR or SLED immediately.
3. Permits/Licenses will not be issued until the afternoon of the fourth day after the sign is taken down by the agent; unless your published ad provides for a later date.
• Newspaper Advertisements:
1. A notice of application must be placed at least once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper approved by the department for your area.
2. This notice must:
• Be in the legal notices section of the newspaper or an equivalent section if the newspaper has no legal notices section.
• Be in large type, covering a space of one column wide and at least two inches deep; and
• State the type of license applied for and the exact location of the proposed business.
3. Your application may not be filed until you have furnished a receipt from the approved newspaper indicating that you have paid for the Notice of Application.
4. To complete your application you must submit your Affidavit of Publication and a copy of the ad furnished by the approved newspaper office.
5. Please refer to the ABL-32 for a complete list of approved newspapers.
6. No more than three (3) retail dealer licenses may be issued to one licensee. No more than three retail dealer licenses may be issued for the use of one corporation, association, partnership, or limited partnership. A corporation having the use of a retail dealer license that is owned by another corporation is considered to be holding the retail dealer license for the use of the owning corporation. In addition no person, directly or indirectly, individually or as a member of a partnership or an association, as member or stockholder of a corporation, or a relative to a person by blood or marriage within the second degree, may have any interest in more than three retail liquor stored licensed.
7. A retail dealer must maintain a separate store or place of business with not more than two (2) means of public ingress or egress which must be on the front or the same side of the building, except that the doors may be located at the corner of two adjacent sides of the building. One additional door, not in the front, is allowed if used solely for the receipt of commercial deliveries or an emergency exit.
8. Non-alcoholic merchandise is prohibited except as described in Code Section 61-6-1540.

Requirements
Authorizes the sale of liquor "to-go" only. These licenses are issued to retail locations for the sale of alcoholic liquors and/or wines containing up to 21% alcohol by volume.

• Completed application (ABL-901), signed, dated and notarized.
• Submit nonrefundable filing fees: $200.00
  LICENSE FEES SHOULD NOT BE SUBMITTED UNTIL LICENSE IS APPROVED.
• Submit an Affidavit of Publication from the newspaper running your ad. The affidavit must include a copy of your ad. If you just started your ad in the newspaper and have not received the ad and affidavit, you MUST include the receipt from the newspaper with your application. Forward the ad and affidavit from the newspaper as soon as the newspaper provides it to you. Your license/permit cannot be issued until this is received.
• Must complete the ABL-946 (Consent and Waiver).
• Must attach copy of Articles of Incorporation, if applying as a corporation.
• Must attach a Certificate of Authority to do Business in South Carolina obtained from the Secretary of State's office, if applying as a foreign corporation.
• Must attach a copy of Articles of Organization and Operating Agreement, or LLC Supplemental Information Form (ABL-919), if applying as a Limited Liability Corporation.
• Must attach copy of partnership agreement, if applying as a partnership or Limited Liability Partnership.
• All principals must attach a criminal records check (CRC), not more than 90 days old.
1. If the principal has lived in SC for more than two (2) years, obtain the CRC from SLED at www.sled.state.sc.us or SLED Headquarters, Criminal Records Department, 4400 Broad River Rd., P.O. Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221.
2. If the principal has lived in SC less than two (2) years, obtain a statewide CRC from previous state of residency AND a CRC from SLED.
3. If principal is not a SC resident, obtain a statewide CRC from current state of residency.
• Must attach a copy of your lease, deed or tax bill for the location for which you are seeking a license. The lease, deed or tax bill must be in the applicant's name and list the physical address of the business location.
• Must attach completed residency status verification affidavit. Use Verification of Lawful Presence in the United States-Applicant and Principals (ABL-920) for each principal. Each principal, officer, owner, member, and/or partner MUST sign the form. If applicable, include his/her non-citizen alien registration number and attach a copy of all appropriate immigration documents.
• General Location Requirements for a Retail Liquor Store:
1. Your business must be at least 300 feet from a church, school, or playground if the church, school, or playground is located in the city.
2. Your business must be at least 500 feet from a church, school, or playground if the church, school, or playground is located in the county.
3. These requirements do not apply if the establishment or location was established prior to November 7, 1962 or if you are acquiring a business that is currently licensed to sell alcohol. ABL Regulation 7-300 establishes how this measure is conducted.